Japan
Ancient traditions, futuristic cities, incredible food and landscapes that change dramatically with the seasons. Japan is one of those destinations that can feel completely different depending on when you visit and how you choose to explore it.
How much does a trip to Japan cost?
Japan can be surprisingly affordable or as luxurious as you want it to be. You can sleep in a capsule hotel, eat an excellent bowl of ramen for a few pounds and spend the afternoon exploring temples for free. Or you can stay in a beautiful ryokan, enjoy a multi-course dinner and book private experiences.
So, how much should you actually budget?
As a general guide, expect to spend around £50–£70 per person per day on a budget, £80–£130 for a comfortable mid-range trip, or £200+ for a premium experience.
These figures cover accommodation, food and activities, with accommodation based on two people sharing a room. They don’t include international flights or major intercity transport such as Shinkansen journeys, as these can vary significantly depending on your itinerary.
THE LEAVE LIST SWEET SPOT
£80–£130 per person, per day
For a comfortable trip to Japan without going overboard, this gives you enough flexibility to stay in a comfortable hotel, eat well, enjoy paid attractions and fit in the occasional day trip without needing to splurge.
Where does your money go ?
Accommodation
Accommodation will usually be your biggest daily expense, particularly in Tokyo and Kyoto.
| Type of stay | Approx. price per night |
| Budget : hostel, capsule hotel or simple hotel | £20–£45 pp |
| Mid-range : comfortable 3–4★ hotel | £50–£100 pp |
| Premium : luxury hotel or high-end ryokan | £120–£300+ pp |
Japan has accommodation for almost every budget. Capsule hotels and hostels can keep costs surprisingly low, while a traditional ryokan with meals and a private onsen can quickly move you into premium territory.
Prices can also rise considerably during peak periods, particularly cherry blossom season and major holidays. Some hotels and ryokan may also charge additional accommodation or bathing taxes.
Food
One of the best things about travelling in Japan is that eating well doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune.
| Type of food | Approx. price |
| Budget : convenience store, ramen, noodles, casual meals | £3–£10 pp |
| Mid-range : restaurants, izakaya, sushi | £10–£30 pp |
| Premium : high-end sushi, kaiseki, fine dining | £50–£150+ pp |
For a budget trip, you can easily eat for around £15–£25 per day by mixing convenience stores, ramen shops, casual restaurants and local eateries.
A more comfortable food budget would be around £30–£50 per day, giving you plenty of room to enjoy restaurants, sushi and the occasional nicer meal.
If food is a big part of your trip, you can spend considerably more. A premium sushi or kaiseki experience can easily cost £100+ per person.
Activities & Sightseeing
This is where Japan can be particularly good value.
| Activity | Approx. price |
| Temples & shrines | Free–£5 pp |
| Museums & gardens | £3–£10 pp |
| Observation decks | £5–£15 pp |
| TeamLab-style experiences | £15–£30 pp |
| Day trip | £30–£100+ pp |
| Private tours / premium experiences | £100+ pp |
Many of the country’s most famous sights (including temples, shrines, gardens and neighbourhoods) are either free or cost very little to visit.
You don’t need to spend hundreds of pounds on activities to have a fantastic trip. A day wandering through Kyoto’s temples, exploring Tokyo’s neighbourhoods or visiting a shrine can cost almost nothing.
However, it’s worth allowing a little more in your budget for the occasional paid experience or day trip, for example, visiting Mount Fuji, taking a food tour or spending a day exploring Nara or Osaka..
So, how much should you budget per day?
ALL prices are an estimation per person per day
£50–£70
Perfect for : travellers who want to experience Japan without spending a fortune.
You’ll likely be staying in a hostel, capsule hotel or simple budget hotel, eating at ramen shops, convenience stores and casual restaurants, and focusing on Japan’s many free attractions.
You can absolutely have an amazing trip at this level, you just need to be a little more selective about where you spend your money.
£80–£130
The sweet spot for most travellers.
This gives you a comfortable hotel, plenty of restaurant meals and enough room for paid attractions and occasional day trips.
If you’re visiting Japan for two weeks and want a good balance between comfort and value, this is the budget I’d aim for.
£200-350+
Perfect for : travellers who want to make the trip feel special.
This could mean a luxury hotel in Tokyo, a traditional ryokan stay, exceptional restaurants, private tours or unique experiences.
And there really is no upper limit. Japan has some extraordinary hotels, ryokan and dining experiences if you’re happy to spend more.
Find out more
Ready to plan your Japan trip ?
Now that you know how long to stay, let’s work out what to do with those days.
More about Japan
Other destinations
Vietnam
Philipines